One of footy’s most controversial stars Jack Ginnivan is accused of costing his team a grand final win with a five-word text message
Leading AFL journalist Caroline Wilson has blasted polarising Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan, claiming he cost his team a possible premiership with his now infamous social media message.
The Hawks had been the feelgood story of the year but ultimately lost their semi-final to Port Adelaide by just three points – 11.9 (75) to 11.6 (72) – on Friday night at Adelaide Oval.
While there were plenty of good vibes in the lead-up to the clash, there were also bitter ones after Ginnivan taunted Port Adelaide on social media.
Ginnivan, responding to an Instagram post by his former Magpies teammate, Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy, wrote: ‘see u in 14 days’, referring to next weekend’s preliminary final.
Those comments went down like a lead balloon with Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley, who returned serve at Ginnivan after the match as he engaged in a war of words with the 21-year-old.
Wilson believes Ginnivan’s actions have cost the club dearly.
‘Hawthorn lost a game that they could have well have won. And you take any edge you can in a final,’ Wilson said on 3AW radio.
‘I would go as far as to argue he’s cost Hawthorn a win, Jack Ginnivan, by what he did what that taunt last week.’
Jack Ginnivan (pictured) had taunted Port Adelaide on social media during the week, telling Sydney player Brodie Grundy that he would see him in the preliminary final
AFL journalist Caroline Wilson (pictured) says Ginnivan cost his team a possible premiership with his cheeky social media antics
‘I would go even further to say, Hawthorn could have won the premiership.
‘What Jack Ginnivan did is just so against, for me, what a club or a player should do.
‘Externally, stick up for Jack Ginnivan. Internally, I hope that somebody has explained, ‘Jack, read the room’.’
Meanwhile, Brodie Grundy says the game should celebrate characters like Ginnivan instead of slamming them.
The two were teammates at Collingwood before both were squeezed out of the squad, with Grundy leaving in 2022 for Melbourne and Ginnivan for Hawthorn after winning the 2023 premiership.
‘Jack, he’s a character. He’s an entertainer as well, and that’s what I love about him,’ Grundy said.
‘He brings eyes to our game, which I think is cool. As an industry, we want to have personality, and I think we should celebrate that.
The Hawks lost their semi-final to Port Adelaide by just three points – 11.9 (75) to 11.6 (72) – on Friday night at Adelaide Oval
‘I obviously didn’t entertain in the chat, perhaps maybe I’m a little bit wiser but I love what he brings to our game.’
Earning a week off after defeating rivals GWS in a qualifying final, Sydney’s focus will now turn to a home preliminary final against the Power on Friday night.
Grundy, who has returned to managing a full ruck load at the Swans after splitting the role at the Demons last season, says his body is feeling ‘as good as ever’.
‘It was good to have a bye leading in to finals and have a bye this week. It’s coming at a really good time,’ Grundy said.
‘The role that I play, and I suppose a lot of other players in my position, we like to just shoulder that load and keep keeping on, as they say.
‘I’m getting to the point where I do reflect, and I probably haven’t done this sort of workload for two seasons now.
‘Last year (at Melbourne), I was playing like 60 per cent of games when I was playing in AFL, and half of that was forward, and then the year before, I was injured.
‘So from a personal perspective, I’m really pleased that I’ve been able to be resilient, and play some good footy for the side.
‘The body’s feeling as good as ever right now.’
Brodie Grundy (pictured) says the sport should celebrate characters like Ginnivan
Asked what has surprised him since moving interstate after one season at Melbourne, the 30-year-old joked: ‘Probably my tan.
‘Seriously though, I think I just feel like I’ve just loved working with the midfield group.
‘I feel like as much as I help them, they help me.
‘When I was coming to Sydney and talking to (coach John Longmire) about I’ve already moved once, so I don’t want to move again.
‘It was a pretty sort of transparent conversation in terms of the player I am and contested follow-up player, that’s sort of how I want to play my footy.
‘He’s been really permissive in terms of allowing me to just be that player, and not putting too much expectation on being this all-encompassing superstar.’
